Fri, Aug 19, 2011
Highlights Industry Concerns And Successes At August Business
Luncheon
The
members of the aircraft community, including many Embry-Riddle
alumni, gathered at the monthly Wichita Aero Club luncheon on
Tuesday to hear from guest speaker Dr. John P. Johnson (pictured),
president and CEO of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Dr.
Johnson shared many short stories to chronicle the success of
Embry-Riddle students, and voiced concerns on industry issues
ranging from the need for more pilots and more safe and secure
airspace.
Dr. Johnson focused significant attention on the importance of
establishing a satellite-based air traffic control system in the
near future. For more than six years, Embry-Riddle has been testing
Automatic Dependent Surveillance-B (ADS-B) satellite technology
which allows pilots to detect all traffic located within their
airspace. The FAA employed Embry-Riddle to test the equipment on
all 100 aircraft in its fleet, and Dr. Johnson is pleased with the
results.
“It is something that is absolutely vital to the future
safety and security of air traffic,” he said. “With
ADS-B, you can get more airplanes in less space and make operations
more efficient.”
According to Dr. Johnson, another issue facing the industry is
the shortage of more than 400,000 pilots. While Embry-Riddle is
turning out highly-educated pilots as fast as possible, other parts
of the world are lacking. Dr. Johnson expressed the need for more
multi-crew pilot license (MPL) programs in Europe, the Middle East
and Asia. Embry-Riddle is currently partnering with Boeing to help
create these programs.
The ERAU President ended Tuesday’s luncheon by stating
that our nation and the industry have a lot to look forward to.
With the highest GDP and an aviation industry that is the best in
the world, Dr. Johnson promised that the U.S. will continue to move
forward. “When you look at the data, you see a great nation
that is unparalleled on this planet,” he said.
The Wichita Aero Club’s next luncheon features Dr. Peggy
Chabrian, President of Women in Aviation.
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